7/30/2019 Propylene Glycol TOXICITY

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5/16/13 ATSDR - Toxic Substances - Propylene Glycol

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=240 1/2

Propylene Glycol

CAS ID #: 57-55- 6

Affected Organ Systems: Dermal (Skin), Renal (Urinary System or Kidneys), Respiratory (From the Nose to the Lungs)

Cancer Effects: None

Chemical Classification: None

Summary: Propylene glycol is a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water. Propylene glycol is also used to make polyester compounds, and as abase for deicing solutions. Propylene glycol is used by the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries as an antifreeze when leakage might lead tocontact with food. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as an additive that is generally recognized as safe for usein food. It is used to absorb extra water and maintain moisture in certain medicines, cosmetics, or food products. It is a solvent for food colors andflavors, and in the paint and plastics industries. Propylene glycol is also used to create artificial smoke or fog used in fire-fighting training and in

theatrical productions. Other names for propylene glycol are 1,2-dihydroxypropane, 1,2-propanediol, methyl glycol, and trimethyl glycol. Propyleneglycol is clear, colorless, slightly syrupy liquid at room temperature. It may exist in air in the vapor form, although propylene glycol must be heated orbriskly shaken to produce a vapor. Propylene glycol is practically odorless and tasteless.

Community Members

Toxicological and Health Professionals

Medical Education and Training

ToxFAQs(/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=1121&tid=240)Fact sheet that answers the most frequently asked questions about a contaminant and its health effects.

Public Health Statement(/phs/phs.asp?id=1120&tid=240)Summary about a hazardous substance taken from Chapter One of its respective AT SDR Toxicological Profile.

Addendum to the Toxicological Profile for Propylene Glycol (December 2008)

Toxicological Profile(/toxprofiles/tp.asp?id=1122&tid=240)Succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for a hazardous substance.

Addendum to the Profile(PDF, 7 9KB)(http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/propylene_glycol_addendum.pdf?id=1123&tid=2

Case Study in Environmental Medicine (CSEM) (http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=12&po=0)Self-instructional publication designed to increase primary care provider's knowledge of a hazardous substance in theenvironment and to aid in the evaluation of potentially exposed patients.

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=12&po=0http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=1120&tid=240http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=1120&tid=240http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=1121&tid=240http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=12&po=0http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/propylene_glycol_addendum.pdf?id=1123&tid=240http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp.asp?id=1122&tid=240http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=1120&tid=240http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=1121&tid=240

7/30/2019 Propylene Glycol TOXICITY

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5/16/13 ATSDR - Toxic Substances - Propylene Glycol

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=240 2/2

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Page last updated: March 3, 20 11

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